Re: Advertising suggestions sought, or stratagies

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On Oct 6, 9:13=A0am, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Oct 5, 8:38=A0am, "Bill" <billnomailnosp...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Perhaps you could have say 4 inch by 12 inch cards printed up and a
> > door knob hole punched out, then go stick those on doors in your spare
> > time.
>
> > The advantage to that would be it would get people's attention better.
> > Then they have your phone number there at home (you could also print
> > one of those cell phone graphics to dial the number for them).
>
> > And you could do just a little at a time. Then if you got a good
> > response, you would not be overwhelmed with phone calls /
> > appointments.
>
> > Or if you got "no response", then change what the card says, the
> > offer, etc.
>
> RHC: I tried that early on in my business with marginal success.
> Expect a !% response rate at best and it will usually be someone from
> the "something for nothing crowd" who calls back.

The only thing that worked for me is now too common-place to work any
more.

Back in the 70's I got the idea to go to the library and check the
Cole's Directory which lists  people by zip code, telephone number
town etc, etc. (There wasn't any Internet as there is today.) I picked
Zip codes in high end areas and cold called them on the telephone. I
spent a considerable number of evenings calling people but ultimately
was landing appointments with about 2 or 3 people out of 10. I was
offering a free small fire extinguisher or simple door alarm as a
giveaway. That turned out to be a pretty good source after awhile.
After I learned what to say and how to tell if I was going to have a
chance at an appointment or not. After about 3 or 4 hundred calls and
a number of sales calls, you begin to get the "feel" of who's good and
who's not.

Nowdays, that's all old stuff and the Federal Do Not Call law put an
end to that. Other things I've tried have never produced enough to
make it worth the expense. Yellow pages, local newspapers, mailers,

Another thing that "would" still work today, however,  is walk-in cold
calling on small retail businesses. That was always a successful
method for getting work for me. Ya gotta keep track of who you talk,
their location and when and really do a lot of follow up but if you're
diligent about it, you can pick up a lot of new business.

However nowdays, the younger people are too lazy,  have no personality
nor the balls to do cold calling. They'd rather stay home and take
care of the house and baby while the wife works and gets free medical
benefits. Besides, if they were out working, how would they ever get a
chance to try out the scented crystal bubble bath powder when the baby
takes a nap?